Accommodation Advice

How to find Accommodation

1) Websites
There are many useful accommodation hunting websites out there. By far the best is Daft.ie as it makes it easy to search through a lot of accommodation listings on the internet quickly. It also has maps that point out where the accommodation is located, very helpful if you're new to the area. Don't forget, once you find somewhere you like, ring it as soon as you can.

2) Students' Unions
Accommodation lists are available from your Students' Union and can contain housing or digs that have generally been inspected over the summer. It would be recommended that you contact your Student Union as it's the best port of call when hunting for a pace to live.

3) Newspaper
Check out the "TO Let/Flat/Housing Sharing" columns of the daily, evening and local papers. Papers are usually out at lunchtime so get a copy as early as possible and if something catches your eye ring without delay as the places go quickly

When Viewing a Place what should one ask?

When you are going to a view a place, the early bird catches the worm and this is how landlords work. This you should ask tho when view are. . .
1. Signs of dampness/mould?
2. Is there proper ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen?
3. Is the place easy to heat? Are there any draughts.
4. What type of storage those it have?
5. Arer the cooker, fridge and any other electrical appliance working?
6. How is the water heated?
7. How do you pay for electricity/gas/phone?
8. Is there a safe place for your bike?

Also keep in mind some points about the surrounding area. . .

1. Is the area convenient to your College?
2. Is public transport near by?
3. Is there a cycle path available?
4. What kind of shops are near by?
5. Is the area safe and is their adequate lighting on your street, hall or stairwell?

Your Rights

- Deposits
Deposits are used as a security against breaking the tenancy agreement. You may forfeit some of all the deposit if you don't give proper notice of the end of your tenancy, for damage to the property or for unpaid bills and rent.

https://www.cover4students.com/ireland/campus/

- Visitors & Overnight Guests
Tenants are entitled to invite friends to stay over unless otherwise stated in your lease. Take into account the views of your fellow tenants all the same – there is a fine line between having your girlfriend / boyfriend sharing your bed the odd night and crossing over into extra housemate territory. Nobody wants a non rent paying leech lounging about the place.

- Privacy
Basically, this means a student has the right not to be disturbed; your landlord is only allowed to enter with your permission. If the landlord needs to carry out repairs or to inspect the premises, it should be by prior arrangement.

- Standards
Since 1994 landlords have had a statutory duty to ensure that the accommodation that they rent complies with certain minimum physical standards. These are set out in the housing regulations act 1993.
To sum up, they require a landlord to;
Ensure that the house is in proper state of structural repair,
Provide a sink with hot and cold-water facilities in each dwelling,
Provide toilet,
Bath or shower facilities,
Either in the flat itself or in a flat not more than one floor above or below the rented dwelling,
Provide adequate means for heating,
Maintain installations for the supply of electricity or gas in good repair and safe working order,
Providing proper ventilations and lighting to each room etc

Duties for a tenant
• Pay rent in full and on time.
• Maintain the place in good condition
• Avoiding damage to the property
• Not causing a nuisance or annoyance to neighbours

Always remember to take photos if you can when you're moving in and whilst moving out, to protect yourself from any unfair deposit deductions. Make a list of any damage upon moving in and presrnt it your landlord. The landlord is responsible for the exterior of the building and for the damage to the walls and ceilings of the house

Notice to Quit
The amount of notice a landlord must give is also covered under the act – the minimum notice periods are:
Duration of tenancy - Notice period for landlord
Less than six months- 28 days
Six months to one year - 35 days
One to two years - 42 days
Two to three years - 56 days
Three to four years - 84 days
More than four years - 112 days

If things go wrong
1) PRTB
The PRTB deals with: refund or retention of deposits, alleged breaches of tenancy obligations, failure to terminate a tenancy correct, giving invalid reasons for terminating a tenancy, claims for costs and damages from either party, claims for rent arrears and other charges.

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If you ever need legal advice, FLAC are based throughout the country to offer free legal advice. You can ring them on 1890 350 250 or look up http://www.flac.ie/gethelp/.

Accommodation Advice

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